310 THE ALLIGATOR. 



neither food nor water; at the end of. that time it 

 seemed not to have suffered in the slightest degree from 

 the enforced fast, but was as strong and lively as 

 ever. 



Others have been packed up in cages and sent long 

 journeys by i-ailroad and steamboat, in some instances 

 all the way to Germany ; and, though living dvu'ing 

 all that time — in one case a period of five months — on 

 nothing but faith and fresh air, reached the consignees 

 in as good condition as when dragged from the torpid 

 waters of their native bayou. 



The alligator hunter, who wishes to have good sport, 

 should provide himself with a small dog or pig, the 

 reptile being excessively fond of both animals. He will 

 never fail to draw them to the surface of the water by 

 making the animal utter cries of distress, even though 

 he had fished in the same pool for a whole day without 

 even catching a glimpse of one. When hogs are kept by 

 the settlers in the neighbourhood of a river, the young 

 roasters very rapidly disappear. Sometiaies the old 

 porkers will give battle to the invader of their homes, 

 but they have very little chance against an antagonist 

 which is shunned by nearly all the animal kingdom 

 with the exception of man. 



Even the bear sometimes falls a victim to its 

 prowess. If the reptile can once fairly seize the bear, 

 it will hold him under water and drown him. 



I have never heard of a fight between the American 



